SPANISH SUPER CUP
Confirmed Real Madrid starting lineup against Barcelona in the 2024 Spanish Super Cup final
Los Blancos take on Barça in Saudi Arabia looking to win the tournament for the third time in its current format.
Real Madrid have qualified for their third Spanish Super Cup final in a row and will bid to win the tournament for the third time since it moved to Saudi Arabia when they face Barcelona in Riyadh on Sunday. In 2020, Los Blancos defeated Atlético Madrid in a penalty shootout after a goalless draw, while they beat Athletic Club 2-0 to lift the trophy in 2022.
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No new injury concerns for Madrid pre-Barça
A thrilling 5-3 Madrid derby victory booked their spot in the 2024 final, in which they will be out for redemption after losing to Barça at the same stage last year. Carlo Ancelotti has no new fitness concerns to contend with, which means he has a full squad to choose from, with the exception of long-term injury victims Thibaut Courtois, Eder Militão and David Alaba, as well as Lucas Vázquez, who have all stayed at home.
Courtois and Militão are coming towards the end of their respective recoveries from ACL tears, with the Brazilian defender likely to be back in action before the Belgian goalkeeper.
Carvajal fit, Lunin replaces Kepa in goal
Dani Carvajal has fully recovered after suffering from fatigue towards the end of the win over Atleti, in which he was named MVP. As a result, manager Carlo Ancelotti has picked his first-choice defence for this particular tournament of Carvajal, Antoino Rüdiger, Nacho and Ferland Mendy.
Goalkeeper Kepa conceded three goals on Wednesday and was at least partly at fault for Atleti’s third, which culminated in Rüdiger nudging the ball over his own line. Andriy Lunin, meanwhile, has impressed whenever he has been given a chance by Ancelotti and has been given the nod for the final against Barça.
Tchouaméni preferred to Camavinga in midfield
With Fede Valverde and Jude Bellingham taking up the “wide” roles on the right and left respectively, and Toni Kroos a certain starter in the middle, there was a doubt as to whether Ancelotti would prefer Eduardo Camavinga’s directness and physicality or Aurélien Tchouaméni’s solidity alongside the German. The Italian has ultimately opted for the latter, with Camavinga again starting on the bench.
Vinícius and Rodrygo lead the line once again
Vinícius Júnior and Rodrygo again start in attack and will look to cause Barça problems with their speed and dribbling.
Luka Modric, Joselu and Brahim Díaz are likely to be those first called from the bench, with the Spanish duo having both found the net against Atlético. First-teamers Fran García, Dani Ceballos and Arda Güler are joined as substitutes by academy players Nico Paz, Mario Martín and Vinicius Tobias.
Real Madrid XI to play against Barcelona
Lunin; Carvajal, Rüdiger, Nacho, Mendy; Valverde, Kroos, Tchouaméni, Bellingham; Rodrygo, Vinícius.
You can follow the all Spanish Super Cup action on AS USA.